Interview with an Outlaw - Eddie MacDonald
Photo courtesy of: 3 Wide Media Productions
March 1st, 2024
Born to Race
In the rural landscape of Rowley, Massachusetts, a young Edward MacDonald found himself drawn to the world of speed and competition. From the moment he could walk, Eddie, as he was affectionately known (and later nicknamed The Outlaw), exhibited an innate passion for racing. His parents, Red and Judy, recognized his fervour early on, nurturing his dreams on the track of Lee USA Speedway, which they owned.
The Making of a Champion
As the years passed, Eddie's determination and skill behind the wheel became increasingly apparent. His journey through the ranks of stock car racing was marked by triumphs and challenges alike, as he progressively demanded respect with his on-track performance.
He began racing in the NASCAR Busch East Series, where he cut his teeth and honed his skills on the local circuits. With each race, Eddie's natural talent behind the wheel began to shine through, showing his talent and potential. However, by the time of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (now known as ARCA East) is when Eddie truly made his mark on the sport. With nearly two decades of experience in the series, Eddie's list of accomplishments speaks volumes about his skill and tenacity. Over the course of his career, he has competed in a total of 196 races, securing an impressive 7 victories along the way. Additionally, Eddie has clinched 36 top-5 finishes, highlighting his ability of staying competitive in every race he enters.
From thrilling victories to hard-fought battles on the track, the K&N Pro Series East represented both a challenge and an opportunity. With it’s fiercely competitive fields and diverse array of tracks, including short ovals, long, fast ovals, and road courses, the series tested his skills and determination like never before. Originally formed in 1987 as the NASCAR Busch North Series, the series served as a breeding ground for up-and-coming talent, nurturing the careers of future NASCAR champions such as Chuck Bown, Martin Truex Jr., and Joey Logano.
Mastering New Hampshire Speedway
It is on the hallowed grounds of the 1 Mile long New Hampshire Motor Speedway that Eddie has truly left his mark, holding the record for most wins at the track with more than 10. He’s become synonymous with success at the "Magic Mile." His dominance also extends to other iconic tracks, including Bristol Motor Speedway, where he has showcased his talent with memorable victories.
Conquering Diverse Circuits
Eddie’s racing extends far beyond the confines of a single series or circuit. With a penchant for versatility and a hunger for competition, Eddie has left his mark on a multitude of racing platforms, showcasing his skill and adaptability across various disciplines.
In the American Canadian Tour (ACT), Eddie's record is especially impressive, with 67 races under his belt (including multiple unique Milk Bowl races at Vermont’s Thunder Road Speedway - only 1 sanctioned by ACT, the rest unsanctioned), he has clinched victory on 11 occasions, demonstrating a win rate of 16.4%. Moreover, his consistency shines through with an impressive 33 top-5 finishes, illustrating his ability to contend at the front of the pack time and time again.
From one-off appearances to limited-race commitments, he has tested his mettle in other competition, including the ACT Quebec series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, The All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds, and the International Pro Stock Challenge. Each venture served as an opportunity for Eddie to expand his skill set and leave his mark.
In addition to his successes in the ACT, Eddie has also made a formidable impression in the Granite State Pro Stock Tour Series. Despite limited outings, his impact was undeniable, securing victory in 3 out of 10 races — a win rate of 30%. With 6 top-5 finishes to his name, Eddie's presence on the Pro Stock Tour was synonymous with excellence and competitiveness.
Furthermore, Eddie's foray into the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North showcased his ability to excel at the top late model series at the regional level. With 59 races contested, he clinched victory on 5 occasions, displaying a knack for navigating the challenges of PASS North. His 25 top-5 finishes underscored his consistency and competitiveness, solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned within the highly competitive PASS North series. He also made limited starts in PASS South, and a good handful of PASS National races, some of which co-sanctioned by PASS North.
The Oxford 250 Odyssey
Yet, perhaps Eddie's most significant achievement came in the form of back-to-back victories at the legendary Oxford 250. In 2009 and 2010, he etched his name into racing history, joining an elite group of drivers who had conquered the grue ling 250-lap marathon.
As the laps ticked away and the competition intensified, Eddie remained unfazed, his focus unwavering as he battled against some of the finest drivers in the business. With each passing 0.375 mile on the famed Oxford Plains Speedway, Maine, he inched closer to history, his name destined to be etched alongside the greats who had come before him, such as: Geoff Bodine, Ralph Nason, and Dave Dion.
When the checkered flag finally fell, it was Eddie MacDonald who emerged victorious, his triumphs in 2009 and 2010 showed that Eddie knew that he had achieved something truly special. Yet, amidst the celebrations and accolades, Eddie remained humble, his eyes already set on the next challenge that lay ahead.
Navigating the National Stage
Despite his success on the regional circuit, Eddie's aspirations extended to the national spotlight. With starts in NASCAR's premier series, including the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series, he faced formidable competition on some of the sport's biggest stages. Though victory eluded him during these attempts, he managed to gain experience running laps in all 3, against many of the best in the world.
A Legacy Defined
Beyond his achievements on the track, Eddie's impact on the racing community transcended statistics and accolades. His commitment to his craft, coupled with his genuine humility and sportsmanship, endeared him to fans and fellow competitors alike. Whether racing wheel-to-wheel or lending a helping hand in the pits, Eddie exemplifies the true spirit of the sport.
The Road Ahead
As Eddie MacDonald's illustrious career enters its next chapter, one thing remains certain: his passion for racing burns as brightly as ever. With each lap turned and each checkered flag waved, he continues to inspire a new generation of drivers, leaving an indelible mark on the sport he loves. As the road ahead unfolds, one can't help but wonder what the future holds for "The Outlaw" and the legacy he leaves behind.
Interview
Do you have a preference between the 6th generation Five Star body, and the previous generation? Does it depend on the track? I still notice a pretty good mix of both, but I’ve noticed at certain tracks, it seems like more drivers come prepared with one or the other.
Yeah, I’m not sure. I think a lot of guys see what the top guys are doing, and kind of follow suite with that. Knowing that some of them may have testing, and wind-tunnel testing and stuff that would lead them to learn what’s the better option, and then everyone kind of follows from there. But from what people say though, the older style is a little bit better. At first they thought the Gen 6 was the way to go, and then it seemed like some guys started getting away from it. I think they both look great, I kind of like the Gen 5 style, it looks more racey. But I think it’s just a matter of what people see, and preference on the look. We had one (Gen 6), we built a new car a few years ago. But we ended up getting rid of that car, so we still have the old car, and use the Gen 5 car.
Those guys down based out of North Carolina area, they have access to a lot of stuff - info, and a lot of NASCAR Cup teams influence them, and they get quicker information then we would up North.
With so much accomplished over the years, especially close to home, do you have any specific goals, or a bucket list? I noticed you entered in those two Blizzard Series races at Five Flags Speedway, Florida last year. I was really pleasantly surprised to see your Red #17, which for me is an iconic car.
Yeah, that was actually a last minute deal. Dave Huge and Joe’s Racing Products and Matt Drake, they all had a car they were designing, and a new chassis design and everything. We had talked with them throughout the year about possibly doing something, and they ended up having it ready for those last races that they had over there at Five Flags. You know, I’d always wanted to run a super late model down there, so it was a good opportunity to try that car out. Things didn’t go as well as we hoped, but it was still fun to get down there, and hopefully we’ll get back down there another time.
How different do you find it at a 1 mile track, compared to small bullrings? Or for that matter, between tracks with a lot of differences, or tracks you haven’t raced at but may have an impression, such as Winchester Speedway, and Berlin Raceway, just how different does it feel? Is it sort of natural, just needing to adjust to different lines and styles, braking use, and such?
It’s a different experience, but you adapt pretty quick, and you’ve just got to figure it out. Some places, like we ran at Wisconsin International Raceway (Kaukauna), and that place was so different, it was such a different kind of track to race on, so many different lanes you had to run on, and so many different places to enter. But it was a lot of fun, and getting out to some of those tracks again is worth shooting for. And half-way through the race you start to find that rhythm, and it is fun when you start finding that rhythm and what you need, and start moving forward. But then you get some other tracks that you just can’t figure out what some of the good guys are doing, so those are the challenging ones. They all have good sides about them, and fun.
With the evolution of technology and advancements in racing equipment, how do you balance embracing innovation while maintaining the traditional aspects of the sport that you cherish?
It’s great that everything has evolved so much. New technology is coming out, it’s just tough to keep up with everything, especially if you’re not full-time. Last year we didn’t really run as much as we normally did, and it’s hard to get things going and getting the rhythm, and learning new things with the car. But it is - it’s really neat, seeing how much has changed, and where they’re going. It’s crazy to think of some of the set-ups we’re running now, we wouldn’t have even thought of before. It’s fun to try some new stuff, and some of it works, and some of it doesn’t. But it’s hard to get away from, especially when you’re at something like New Hampshire where you’ve been year after year, and you know what works, and you try something different. It’s hard to get away from something that you know works.
What would it take for you to visit Canada for a race someday? Ontario has their APC Pro Late Model series that is strong - you’ve already been to Quebec for their ACT Series, and my region, the Maritime’s, has the Super Late Model Series, and the Pro Stock Tour.
Yeah, we’ve been to 3 tracks between Quebec and Ontario. Canada is always so much fun to race up there, the fans are great, and everybody really loves the racing up there. My crew chief, he really loves to race up there, any chance he gets. It’s tough just to find the right race that works for us with the schedule, and to try to get everyone on board to get up there. Try to find some sponsorship to go. But if it was the right race and stuff, we’d love to go up there again. It’s nice when you go to certain places, and it seems like anywhere you go in Canada, everyone is so welcoming and appreciative that you’re there, and that’s what’s so great about going up there.
So, I have to ask. What was it like racing against the NASCAR Cup Series guys three years in a row in New Hampshire? (2014, 2015, and 2016 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway?
Yeah, that was just a dream experience. You know, I think every kid that races wants to be able to race in that series at least once, and that’s what I was hoping for. I hope we could’ve ran a little bit better, and had a little bit better of an outcome, but it was still just a dream come true to be able to come out there, and race with those guys - and especially at New Hampshire, so. That was a lot of fun, I was very lucky for all of the sponsors that helped out to make that happen.
How was it growing up with parents who owned Lee Speedway?
They owned it for 33 years, so from the time I was 6 (years old) and on, I basically grew up at the race track every night. That was a lot of fun, being able to grow up at the race track, and then finally be able to start racing there when I was 15. It was a lot of fun to grow up there.
Did they ‘just’ own it, or did they race, too - are you a multi-generational racer?
Yeah, they just owned it. My dad always owned race cars, they had supermodifieds. I think he owned the racecar since he was a teenager, and he always had different drivers. When Jeff Gordon was 16, he got him driving (in my dad’s) supermodified at Lee that week. Him and Andy Graves came up together, and they were both right around 16 years old, so it was really cool to be able to hang around those guys, and it kind of made you follow them all the way through.
When I think of you, I think of New Hampshire Motor Speedway at the same time. Is it just because you’re so good there, or is there a particular association you have with the track?
Anyone that races around in that area, they always look at Loudon being like our Daytona, even when we ran the Busch North series, everyone wanted to win there. We worked so hard, just for that one race they had there. All of your effort went into those races. So that’s why I think it meant so much to everyone just to put your best foot forward at that track. When so when were able to finally win there, it was so much. I remember the first time, and to be able to repeat it, so. We’ve ran a lot more bigger races there than at Lee - I basically ran there, I want to say, 4 or 5 years, maybe it was 5 years before I went into the Busch North series, so I ran there 5 years and then after that, not a whole lot after. After we got into the Busch North, we got pretty much just into that, and didn’t run many Late Model or Pro Stock races, until we started getting into the ACT Tour probably around 2006-2007, around there.
So, your nickname is “The Outlaw”, right? How did you get that nickname?
Hah, I really don’t know. But someone said it was one of the ACT announcers, because I guess back in the day, when you would run - if you could win a NASCAR race (like Busch North), and you could win an ACT race, they used to call that an ‘Outlaw’, when they had their feud going on. I think it was the late 80s or so, they had a feud going on. If you could win in both, you were an outlaw. So I don’t know, somehow it kinda stuck. That’s my understanding of it, I think it was just an ACT announcer.
This is your space. Do you have a business, a good friend with a business, anything like that. I’d like you to plug sponsors and people you’re grateful for, but you can plug anything you want here, racing related or not:
Dave Lemieux owner, Freddie Peterson, Robert Grimm, Lemieux builders, Grimm construction, Peterson automotive, On the level construction, Arvos auto, Brian Neil excavation, and Hms motorsports.
